Al-Higra

Al-Higra begins tonight at sunset, when the crescent moon is sighted. Higra means migration, and also an escape from a dangerous situation. The original higra was the journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, after he learned that another Arab tribe was trying to assassinate him. This date became the Muslim New Year, on the 1st day of the month of Muharram.

Photo by Alan Gilespie.

Today Al-Higra is celebrated quietly, with prayers, readings, and reflection, not the hoopla we associate with the New Year. Muslims tell the story of Muhammad’s flight through the desert on camel-back with sword-wielding thugs in pursuit. They reflect on their own migrations, actual or of the soul. Because higra means moving from a bad state of affairs to a good one, many Muslims use this time to think about resolutions for the New Year.

Agenda Today:
1. Journal:
I sometimes find it a stretch to relate personally to Muslim holy days because they are not seasonal- they shift every year- and I am a seasonal kind of girl. This year Al-Higra comes at a good time for me, as my life is in transition. Also I am currently working through the cycle of Navratri, which is all about transition.

Today I consider:
If I am on the path to a new life-
  What resources do I need for the journey? 
  How can I better enjoy the journey?
  How will I know when I have arrived at my destination?

From my journal: Aren't I always, everyday, on a path to a new life? That is just how life goes. Right now I have greater uncertainty, and a feeling of turmoil, but really I have all the "gear" I need for this trip: I have my integrity, my good heart, my family and community, my experience.

2. Read the story of the Higra:
I watched this fun school play enactment on YouTube.

3. Prayer:
It would be pointless for me to try to pray like Muslims do; I would not get it right, and it wouldn’t mean much to me. I do however enjoy praying with sibha beads, a string of 33 beads. And for this first week of Muharrem, I will use them as I repeat some of the 99 names of Allah:

Ar-Rahman - The All-Merciful
Ar-Rahim - The All-Beneficient
As-Salam - The Source of Peace

Al-Karim - The Generous
An-Nur - The Light

4. See the crescent moon: 

I plan to go out at sunset tonight to view the crescent moon. The crescent with a star is the symbol of Islam; the moon’s rebirth after darkness gives us hope each month.